Take a tour

 

Bronze foundries

Wallowa County is home to many world-renowned bronze sculptors. The public is invited to tour several of the bronze foundries to witness the process of transforming an idea into a bronze masterpiece. Bronze foundry tours are available by contacting the artists directly to schedule an appointment.

TW Bronze 202 Golf Course Road, Enterprise.

With major renovations at TW Bronze, owner Tim Parks hopes to create a grand entrance to Enterprise on the prominent corner.

In addition to a new gallery, building façade and entrance, the corner of the TW Bronze foundry will be adorned with world-class quality bronze sculptures. Construction is in progress with plans to be ready for tourist season 2011.

TW Bronze foundry stresses availability and visitors should stop by or call to schedule an appointment. For information: twbronze@uci.net, 541-398-0380.

Parks Bronze 331 Golf Course Road, Enterprise.

Parks Bronze, founded by artist Steve Parks in 1986, is just down the street from TW Bronze at 331 Golf Course Road. Parks Bronzes foundry offers a variety of services and provides employees and artists of all levels a chance to work together and become involved in the bronze foundry process. Parks Bronze collaborates with artists from across the United States coming together to create bronze sculpture in a nurturing, collaborative and productive environment.

Parks Bronze offers foundry tours by appointment. For information: parksbrnz@oregontrail.net, 541-426-4595.

Valley Bronze of Oregon 18 S. Main St., Joseph.

Tours of the Valley Bronze foundry start and end at the Main Street gallery. The gallery displays works from many artists who cast their sculptures at the Valley Bronze foundry. The foundry is about a half-mile from the gallery on Alder Street. Valley Bronze of Oregon offers foundry tours by appointment for a charge of $15 per person with special rates for groups of more than 25 members. For information: gallery@valleybronze.com, 541-432-7445.

Natural & Cultural resources

Zumwalt Prairie Preserve Guided tour for the public of 51-square-mile prairie property off Zumwalt Road (about 21 miles from Enterprise) by The Nature Conservancy, starting about noon, June 12. There  may be carpooling from Enterprise headquarters at 107 SW 1st St.  Staff ecologist and staff botanist will be among tour leaders. 

Also a self-guided driving tour and hikes available on part of the property. For maps and more information: www.nature.org/wherewework/north america/states/oregon; 541-426-3458

Into The Wallowa

A summers worth of free half-day outings will be led by expert guides for the third year as a project of the local nonprofit Wallowa Land Trust. 

The schedule was not finalized at press time, but the tours will be held every Saturday morning, from Independence Day to Labor Day weekends, excluding Chief Joseph Days weekend. 

Outing locations will take participants all over the county and  include the east, west and terminal moraines of Wallowa Lake, trips to century farms and ranches in the county. Topics will range from geology to botany to the rich Indian and settlers history of the area. Some outings include somewhat strenuous hiking while others are walking tours.

Art studio tours

Wallowa Valley Studio Tours welcomes visitors into the studios of working artists. Tours take visitors inside to see the workings of master woodworkers, painters, sculptors, musicians and jewelry designers. For information on participating artists, go to www.josephoregonartists.com. Studio tours are available by appointment.

Rodd Ambroson Fine Art, Joseph. Bronze sculpture and oil paintings. Schedule tour: rodd@roddambroson.com, 541-432-7805.

Steve Arment, Enterprise. Schedule tour: 541-426-6066.

Shirley Frye, Joseph. Painting. Schedule tour: frye@sil.org, 541-432-0286.

Gene Hayes-Hayes Art, Wallowa. Schedule tour: hayesart@oregontrail.net, 541-886-3311.

Stewart Jones Designs, Joseph. Jewelry design, gems and precious metals. Schedule tour: indigo@eoni.com, 541-432-5202.

Leslie Oertly LeViner, Enterprise. Oil paint. Schedule tour: 541-426-5883.

David W. Martin, Joseph, Wood and paint, acrylic on Barnart. Schedule tour: dwmartin37@hughes.net, 541-432-4042.

Charlie Mastro-Mastro Woodworking, Joseph. Schedule tour: chuckfish2@msn.com, 541-432-0650.

Roger and Cherie McGee-Wind Dancer Studio, Enterprise. Native American flute woodworking and bronze. Schedule tour: Rmcgee@eoni.com, 541-426-5864.

Jim and Anne Shelley-Fire Works Pottery, Joseph. Ceramics. Schedule tour: tireworks@eoni.com, 541-432-0445.